Soft Skills & Corporate Readiness Interview - Tips & Techniques General English Language Logical Reasoning / Analytical Ability Quantitative Aptitude Computer Aptitude General Knowledge / Current Affairs Reference Books, Websites & Study Sources.
Learning Modules
Topics
Soft Skills & Corporate Readiness Interview - Tips & Techniques General English Language Logical Reasoning / Analytical Ability Quantitative Aptitude Computer Aptitude General Knowledge / Current Affairs Reference Books, Websites & Study Sources.
Chapters
Age, Time and Calendars Alpha Numeric Sequence Puzzles Alphabet Series Analogy Arithmetical Reasoning Assertion and Reasoning Blood and Family Relations Classification Coding and Decoding Finding Missing Character Logical Sequence of Words Mathematical Operations Non Verbal - Reasoning Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Position of Digits, Alphabets and Words Puzzles Rank and Sequence Seating Arrangements Sense of Direction and Distance Series Completion Situation based Reaction Test of Eligibility or Potential Venn Diagrams Verification of Truth of a Statement

Non Verbal - Reasoning

Practice MCQs

None

Reasoning Ability Non Verbal - Reasoning Competitive Exams

Non Verbal Reasoning tests your ability to understand patterns, figures, shapes, symbols, directions, series, and visual relationships without depending mainly on words. These questions are common in aptitude tests, scholarship exams, entrance exams, and recruitment tests.

What is Non Verbal Reasoning?

Non Verbal Reasoning uses figures, shapes, symbols, diagrams, and visual patterns instead of long text. You have to observe the given figures carefully and identify the logic behind them.

The logic may be based on rotation, mirror image, counting shapes, completing a pattern, finding the odd figure, paper folding, embedded figures, or figure series.

Quick idea: Observe the change from one figure to the next. Check shape, size, position, direction, shading, number of parts, and rotation.
Area What to Observe Example Logic
Figure Series Change from one figure to next Shape rotates clockwise
Odd Figure One figure does not follow the rule All are closed shapes except one
Mirror Image Left-right reversal Arrow direction changes horizontally
Water Image Top-bottom reversal Figure flips vertically
Embedded Figure Hidden smaller figure inside a complex figure Find triangle inside larger design

“Non verbal reasoning becomes easier when you observe the change, not just the figure.”

Reasoning Tip
Key Points
  • Observe shape, position, and direction.
  • Check whether the figure is rotating.
  • Look for increase or decrease in number of parts.
  • Compare shading and filled regions.
  • Check mirror or water image carefully.
  • Do not guess before identifying the visual rule.
patterns figures rotation logic

Main Types of Non Verbal Reasoning Questions

Most non verbal reasoning questions can be solved by identifying one of these common visual logics.

1. Figure Series

Find the next figure in a pattern.

▲ ▶ ▼ ?

The triangle rotates clockwise. Next figure is ◀.

2. Odd Figure Out

Find the figure that does not follow the pattern.

○ □ △ ●

● is odd because it is filled, while others are outline shapes.

3. Mirror Image

Find the left-right reversed figure.

Original Mirror
▶ ◀

Mirror image reverses the figure horizontally.

4. Water Image

Find the top-bottom reversed figure.

Original Water Image
▲ ▼

Water image reverses the figure vertically.

Tip: In non verbal questions, compare figures part by part. Small changes in direction, shading, or position are often the key.

What Should You Observe?

Observation Point Question to Ask Example
Shape Is the shape changing? Circle becomes square, square becomes triangle
Direction Is the figure turning? Arrow points up, right, down, left
Position Is the figure moving? Dot moves from corner to corner
Number Are parts increasing or decreasing? One line, two lines, three lines
Shading Is the figure becoming filled or unfilled? White circle becomes black circle
Size Is the figure growing or shrinking? Small square, medium square, large square
Important: Do not observe only one feature. Many questions combine two features, such as rotation plus shading or position plus number.

Common Visual Patterns

These simple pattern examples show how figures change in non verbal reasoning.

Rotation Pattern
↑ → ↓ ?

Each arrow rotates 90° clockwise. Answer: ←.

Shape Change
○ □ △ ○ ?

Pattern repeats circle, square, triangle. Answer: □.

Shading Pattern
○ ● ○ ● ?

Filled and unfilled circles alternate. Answer: ○.

Number Pattern
| || ||| ?

Number of lines increases by one. Answer: ||||.

Step-by-Step Solving Method

Step Action Example
Step 1 Observe all given figures carefully. ▲, ▶, ▼, ?
Step 2 Identify the changing feature. The triangle is rotating
Step 3 Check the direction of change. Clockwise rotation
Step 4 Apply the same rule to the missing figure. After ▼ comes ◀
Step 5 Compare with answer options. Choose ◀
Important: If one rule does not explain the figures, check for combined logic such as rotation plus colour change.

Worked Example 1: Figure Series

Find the missing figure in the following series:

▲ ▶ ▼ ?
Observation
  • The figure is always a triangle.
  • Only its direction changes.
  • It rotates clockwise each time.
  • After down direction, the next direction is left.
Pattern: Up → Right → Down → Left

Therefore, the missing figure is ◀.

Worked Example 2: Odd Figure Out

Find the odd figure from the following:

A B C D
□ ○ △ ●

In options A, B, and C, the figures are outline shapes. Option D is a filled figure.

Therefore, the odd figure is D - ●.

Common Types of Non Verbal Reasoning Questions

Figure Series

Find the next figure based on the pattern.

  • Rotation
  • Shape change
  • Increasing parts
  • Alternating shading
Odd One Out

Identify the figure that is different.

  • Different shape
  • Different size
  • Different direction
  • Different shading
Mirror and Water Image

Find horizontal or vertical reflection.

  • Mirror: left-right flip
  • Water: top-bottom flip
  • Letters may reverse
  • Arrows change direction
Paper Folding and Cutting

Visualize folds, cuts, and final openings.

  • Count fold lines
  • Track cut position
  • Open in reverse order
  • Symmetry is important
Rule: In non verbal reasoning, the answer is usually based on one clear visual rule. Find the rule before looking at options.

Solved Examples

Question Method Answer
Find the next figure: ▲, ▶, ▼, ? The triangle rotates clockwise. ◀
Find the odd one: ○, □, △, ● Only ● is filled; others are outline shapes. ●
Mirror image of ▶ Mirror image reverses left and right. ◀
Water image of ▲ Water image reverses top and bottom. ▼
Next in series: ○, ●, ○, ●, ? Filled and unfilled circles alternate. ○
Next in series: |, ||, |||, ? Number of lines increases by one. ||||
Odd one: ▲, ▼, ◀, ● First three are directional triangles; last is a circle. ●
Next in series: □, ○, △, □, ○, ? Pattern repeats square, circle, triangle. △

Note: In visual reasoning, always compare every figure with the previous and next figure.

Common Traps and Shortcuts

Common Traps
  • Looking only at shape and ignoring direction.
  • Ignoring filled and unfilled parts.
  • Confusing mirror image with water image.
  • Not checking rotation angle properly.
  • Assuming the first visible pattern is always correct.
  • Missing small dots, lines, or shaded areas.
Useful Shortcuts
  • Check rotation first in figure series.
  • Check shape, size, shade, and direction separately.
  • For mirror image, reverse left and right.
  • For water image, reverse top and bottom.
  • For odd figure, compare one feature at a time.
  • In paper folding, open the fold mentally in reverse order.
Exam approach: Identify whether the question is based on series, odd figure, mirror image, water image, embedded figure, or paper folding.

Practice

A) Multiple Choice Questions
  1. Find the next figure: ▲, ▶, ▼, ?
    ◀ ▲ ▶ ●
  2. Find the odd one: ○, □, △, ●
    ○ □ △ ●
  3. What is the mirror image of ▶?
    ▶ ◀ ▲ ▼
  4. What is the water image of ▲?
    ▲ ▼ ◀ ▶
  5. Find the next figure: ○, ●, ○, ●, ?
    ● ○ □ △
B) Solve the Higher-Order Problems
  1. Find the next figure in the series: ↑, →, ↓, ? Hint: Check the direction of rotation.
  2. Find the odd one: □, ◇, ○, ■ Hint: Check filled and outline figures.
  3. Complete the pattern: □, ○, △, □, ○, ? Hint: The three-shape pattern repeats.
  4. Find the next pattern: |, ||, |||, ||||, ? Hint: Count the number of lines.
  5. Find the odd one: ▲, ▶, ▼, ★ Hint: Three are directional triangle symbols.
Reasoning Reminder

Non verbal reasoning questions are solved by observation. Before selecting an answer, check shape, direction, size, position, number, and shading.

Task: Create five non verbal reasoning questions using rotation, mirror image, water image, odd figure, and figure series.

Show Suggested Answers
Multiple Choice
  1. ◀
    The triangle rotates clockwise: up, right, down, left.
  2. ●
    It is filled, while the other three are outline shapes.
  3. ◀
    Mirror image reverses left and right.
  4. ▼
    Water image reverses top and bottom.
  5. ○
    The pattern alternates between unfilled and filled circles.
Higher-Order Problems
  1. ↑, →, ↓, ?
    The arrow rotates clockwise. Answer = ←.
  2. □, ◇, ○, ■
    The first three are outline figures, while ■ is filled. Answer = ■.
  3. □, ○, △, □, ○, ?
    The pattern repeats square, circle, triangle. Answer = △.
  4. |, ||, |||, ||||, ?
    Number of lines increases by one. Answer = |||||.
  5. ▲, ▶, ▼, ★
    First three are directional triangle symbols. Star does not follow that rule. Answer = ★.
Clue Explanation

Non verbal reasoning is based on visual logic. Identify the changing feature first, then apply the same rule to find the missing or odd figure.

Exam Tips
  • Observe all given figures before answering.
  • Check direction and rotation carefully.
  • Do not confuse mirror and water images.
  • Look for shading or filled regions.
  • Count the number of lines, dots, or parts.
  • Eliminate options that break the visual rule.
Practice MCQs